Denying right to speak isn’t democracy
By Lethbridge Herald on July 3, 2025.
Editor,
During the June 24 city council meeting, a motion was put forward by councilor Campbell to allow a local organization the opportunity to present on a topic important to them to the Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee (SPC). This motion was necessary because previous requests to present to the SPC were denied by the Agenda Review Committee, which is made up of councilors from city council.
I find it strange that the request to present was initially denied. Presenting to SPCs is currently the only formal process for individuals and community organizations to bring important topics before city councillors, so it astounds me that the Agenda Review committee would deny a request from a local group.
During the discussion at the city council meeting, several councillors wound up voting against the motion to allow the community group to present because, I have to assume, they already disagree with the premise of the request of the community group: in this case, the establishment of an urban hen pilot project in Lethbridge that would be low or minimal cost to the City itself, and run by dedicated volunteers.
It became evident during the debate that some councillors are unwilling to even entertain the discussion requested by citizens in the city merely because they personally don\’t agree with the request.
That is not democracy. Denying citizens the ability to be heard because of your personal biases is absolutely not the way our city council should be operating. I’m deeply disturbed and saddened that experienced councillors would deny citizens their right to be heard.
With the upcoming municipal election, I hope the citizens of Lethbridge are paying attention and vote those councillors out, or that they have the good sense to go and enjoy their retirements from council.
Kelti Baird
Lethbridge
10-9
not sure why the writer avoids including the topic? i get that the point is not about just the topic at hand – it is about ensuring consistent and true democratic practice – but it would shed light on at least one aspect that a number of council may hold bias against.
I don’t know … sounds like you’re hen pecking …
There is definitely something amiss, in our City, we have no bylaws regarding cats, feral cats roam at will while cat owners have absolutely no need to license, vaccinate, neuter or restrict the number of cats in their dwellings! Feral deer, everywhere throughout the City, wandering in roadways causing accidents, these deer forage on residential bushes and trees, gardens and planted ornamental flowers. No City intervention. But hens, heaven “No” our City will not allow for this!
Feral deer? I take it you mean deer which were here long before us and God willing after us.
i think those feral deer are eating many of my feral plants. if only they had an appetite for weeds.
We need some of those feral goats lol
There is some councilors,I believe, on the agenda review committee. Which councilors are on the committee that voted no for a public presentation on this subject ? A recording of who voted for what when would be helpful this election year. I believe there is a citizens group tallying such things now. Lots of work just to know a record of votes for our elected taxpayer paid so called representatives.